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2015 Holiday Gift Ideas – Some of Our Favorite Things

Move over Oprah! It’s time for the crew at Element to share some of our best holiday gift ideas.

Time is running out. You need to get that shopping done. Need a few good suggestions? We’re here for you.

Check out this collection of some of our go-to gifts. You’re sure to find something for just about everyone in our first-ever list of favorite things.

1. Lance’s Gift Idea – Beer Bottle Koozie

lance
Agency Director, Lance Peroutka, knows a thing or two about staying cool…especially when it comes to his beer.

Forget those foam things! This classy beer koozie from Yeti Coolers takes chilled brews to a whole new level.

It’s made of heavy-duty, stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation and a thermolock gasket. Translation: This is for the high-tech beer drinker.

2. Aldis’ Gift Idea – Coffee Press

Aldis
Coffee is an essential part of every day for many of us here at Element.

Principal/Creative Director, Aldis Strazdins knows how to make an excellent cup.

If you’ve got a coffee-lover in your life, he suggests the Bodum Young Press Coffee Maker. It’s practically unbreakable and made to last. That means it will be fine if you accidentally drop it on the kitchen floor before the caffeine starts working in the morning.

3. Nikki’s Gift Idea – Lotion and Hand Wash

Winter weather can mean dry skin. But not with Nikki Peroutka’s holiday gift idea!

Give this Olive Leaf Gift set from Thymes to someone you truly care about. It will nourish and moisturize their hands with all-natural ingredients.

Plus – the scent is amazing!

The hand wash and lotion even come in an attractive, stainless steel caddy for your sink.

4. Derek’s Gift Idea – Starbucks Gift Card

Not everyone has time to make the perfect cup of coffee in the morning. And we have to say…there’s just something about Starbucks that hits the spot!

Derek Blaszak says let the busy coffee-lover on your list pick their own favorite beverage

That way, they’ll be sure to get the Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Grande Quad One-Pump Mocha, Tall Half-Caff Soy Latte, Non-Fat Frappuccino with Extra Whipped cream that they really want.

5. Tara’s Gift Idea – Carmella’s Bistro Gift Card

Here’s another gift card idea – this time it’s for the foodie in your life.

Carmella’s Bistro is an amazing Italian restaurant in Appleton, and it’s one of Public Relations Director Tara Brzozowski’s favorite spots.

They use fresh, high-quality ingredients that are often locally-grown to create deliciously authentic Italian cuisine.  If you live in the Fox Valley or Green Bay, you need to try this place!

6. Ryan’s Gift Idea – Travel Mug

Once again, a gift for coffee drinkers shows up. This time, it’s the ideal way to keep your java nice and hot while you’re on the go.

Use it for your hot cocoa and apple cider too!

Web Developer Ryan Hebl’s suggestion is the Classic One Hand Vacumm Mug from Stanley.

Not only will your beverage stay warm, it will also help you avoid spilling all over yourself on the way to that next meeting.

7. Sue’s Gift Idea – Colored Flames

What’s better than sitting by the fireplace over the holidays? How about staring at colorful flames dancing before your eyes?

Business manager, Sue Barrett, chose this unique product from Winter Woods. These Magic Rocks and Pine Cones can be used in outdoor or indoor gas fireplaces and create a vibrant display for up to half-an-hour.

She also suggests the Fatwood all-natural fire starter made from the resin of pine tree stumps.

8. Mike’s Gift Idea – Racing Motor Oil

Got a gear-head on your list? They’ll be impressed that you picked out some top-quality racing motor oil from Valvoline.

Senior Art Director Mike Tessmer likes his machines. To keep things running smoothly he keeps a whole case of this stuff around.

It’s formulated to boost horsepower, and made for high-performance engines, but it’s also compatible with normal passenger vehicles.

9. Molly’s Gift Idea – Scheels Gift Card

People who say gift cards are a cop out haven’t been given enough ugly sweaters and fruitcakes for Christmas.

Many people really appreciate the chance to pick out something they actually want.

That’s why Molly Wentworth suggests a gift card to Scheels. It’s a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, extreme sports athletes, runners or just sports fans in general.

Scheels is a wonderland of sporting goodness. The biggest problem will be choosing what to get.

10. Lori’s Gift Idea – Pistachio Nuts

Mixed nuts show up often during the holidays. But no nut can beat the pistachio.

Senior graphic designer, Lori Schwartz agrees. Pistachios are the Cadillac of snack foods.

With this gift idea, they get the treatment they deserve. Limited Edition Wonderful Pistachios come in a classy black velvet pouch.

Once you start cracking these salty nuts – you won’t be able to stop!

11. Kevin’s Gift Idea – Grill Tongs

We live in Wisconsin and deal with some nasty winters. But there are some of us who never stop grilling – no matter how cold and snowy it is.

Director of Technology Kevin Hamilton likes using durable Grill-a-Tongs branded with his favorite football team’s logo.

(We’ll give you one guess  as to what team that is)

Use them for your Super Bowl Party brat fry!

12. Kate’s Gift Idea – Wine Club Subscription

Raise your glasses to this great gift idea!

Kate Shropshire suggests a gift that keeps on giving – a subscription to Club W. This service delivers a new bottle of wine to your door every month.

The wine-lover on your list will remember you with each bottle of red and white that shows up.

And hopefully – they’ll remember to invite you over and share some too.

13. Kasey’s Gift Idea – Cheese Slicer

Element newcomer, Kasey Steinbrinck, has had issues cutting uniform slices of Wisconsin Extra Sharp Cheddar.

That is – until he found this handy utensil.

The FDick 6″ Cheese Knife makes it easy to slice through everything from gouda to asiago! It has a serrated blade with windows to prevent sticking as well as a tip that works as a serving fork.

Now Kasey has no problem cutting the cheese, and neither will you!

14. Joel’s Gift Idea – Star Wars Bluetooth Speaker

Hey, are there any big movies coming out this holiday season?

Who are we kidding? Star Wars stuff is everywhere you look right now. It’s a Jedi’s dream come true.

Joel Haase chose these cool Star Wars speakers featuring your favorite characters – from Chewbacca to Boba Fett.

The speakers don’t use the Force, but they do use Bluetooth technology. That means you can stream John Williams’ score wirelessly!

15. Eric’s Gift Idea – Wisconsin Beer Book

Copywriter and assistant creative director, Eric Severstad, doesn’t only love to drink beer, he actually reads about it too!

Eric is our resident craft brew expert. He replaces the keg and restocks the beer fridge. So we definitely trust his advice.

Bottoms Up focuses on Wisconsin’s beer-making tradition. It features the state’s best brews as well as unique bars you can visit.

Click here to find it online.

16. Ann’s Gift Idea – Hand-painted Nail Files

Keep your nails looking nice (or naughty) with these unique files from Snazzy Creations.

Ann Behling says she loves the creative, personalized designs you can choose from.

But they’re more than just cute. These nail files are made of crystal glass that’s guaranteed to never wear out.

Rinse them off after use and they’ll be as good as new.

17. Aaron’s Gift Idea – Gerber Pocket Knife

Aaron Graff’s gift idea is a good choice for the survivalists on your holiday shopping list.

You never know when a pocket knife will come in handy, and this one is top notch.

The Gerber GDC Tech Skin has a 2.5-inch stainless steel blade that won’t rust and keeps its sharp edge. The Tech Skin covers all the metal, so the knife won’t scratch other items in your pocket – like your phone.

Aaron says this pocketknife has bailed him out of quite a few jams.

Share Your Holiday Gift Ideas

So those are our suggestions…

What about you? Follow Element on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to tell us about all of your amazing ideas.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Element Creative!

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